Just Begin

Of course, it wasn't enough that we'd just come home from our friend's memorial service and I was still feeling sad about this whole affair, but no, I had to go and play with Daniel The Cat and throw my back out majorly. Like I've not done in years. So badly I could hardly breathe.


But the great news (after awaking every hour on the hour last night)? My back is feeling much, much better today and I even took a walk around our new neighborhood, something God's been nagging telling me to do for weeks. Well, He doesn't have to tell me twice (no, actually He does....sigh...), but anyway, I'll be returning to a semi-daily walk to strengthen my back because this having your back out-of-place, well, blows.


Er hem....


Anyway, at the memorial luncheon yesterday I spoke with an old friend who I only see every few years, or so,  someone who's always excited about what God has her doing and we got to shaking our heads about how many Christians make finding their calling/gifts/purpose so hard. How it's so not rocket science (!), but rather, usually as simple as answering these two questions:


1. What are you good at doing?
2. What do you enjoy doing?


Seriously. Discovering what you're meant to do for God is as simple as answering those questions, doing those things on a regular basis, then telling God He's free to use you to bless others through  those gifts.


And then just doing them, following God's lead.


Really, it's time for all of us to grow up and stop being afraid that--should we ask God honestly what He wants us to do for Him--He'll whisper eerily, "Goooooo tooooooo Africa. Live innnnn a huuuuut with natives." Or, "clean out city bathrooooooms for freeeeee." Or, "Gooooo to the ghetto-oooo where you'll probably get sho------t."


Come on.


Now, He will tell some people to do those things, but those ideas will excite the right people, the people God has equipped to do them. Go anyplace without God's equipping you, and well, good luck.


Again, what are you good at doing? What do you enjoy doing? Combine those things and take them out to a hurting, dying world, even if that world is just next door. Or on your blog. Or down at the park or the craft fair or your grandchild's school. 


Just begin. Just go. Just do it. Bless others.


And your whole world will change. I guarantee it.








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"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither
shadow of turning."   ....James 1:17 






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Sorry, but as I said last year (and probably the year before and the year before....), don't come to my blog on Good Friday expecting me to say, "Sunday is coming!" Nope, I simply cannot put Jesus back in the tomb all over again. I cannot live without Him even for a moment and especially not for a Friday and Saturday.  (I hope that offends no one, but I'm rather passionate about this!)


Jesus is risen today! Woo hoo!!




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Isn't this a beautiful photo?

Remember when I showed you the photo from my days, at 17, of being in The Music Man? Well, this is the courtyard from that high school and those steps at the right lead up to that theater. If I recall correctly, these Spanish-style buildings are from the 1920's. Just thought I'd share them (and the pretty trees) with you.




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